Fenwick trying to double up

Blackhawk Cup, Catholic titles in sight

Fenwick is a perennial hockey powerhouse, and this season is no different.

The Friars (53-19-9) are on track to capture their fifth consecutive Catholic League title. Fenwick claimed the first game of the best-of-three series against Mt. Carmel with a 4-1 victory Thursday.

The Friars grabbed a 2-0 lead before Pat Spork scored for the Caravan. Fenwick's goals were by Mike Freitag, Nick Powers, Matt Wilcox and Matt Dory. Goaltender Vincenz Barsanti had 22 saves. Game 2 is Thursday at the Southwest Ice Arena in Crestwood.

The Friars meet Sandburg on Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Blackhawk Cup state tournament.

Also Sunday, Stevenson challenges Loyola Gold. The Patriots (36-13-11) are led by Quinn Brennolt, Matt Buxbaum and Brian Murtha.

The team's 36 victories tie the school record, set by the 2003-04 squad, the last Stevenson team to reach the Elite Eight.

Green machine

New Trier Green defeated Loyola Gold 4-3 last weekend to capture the championship of the season-long High School Invitational Tournament. Matt Lindblad, Ben Rawlings and Charlie Matthews scored for the Trevians, and David Gustman had the game-winner.

"It definitely was exciting winning the HIT," Lindblad said. "Our team was really excited to beat Loyola for the third time this season."

The Trevians face Glenbrook North on Saturday at the Edge in Bensenville in the Blackhawk Cup quarterfinals, which could be their toughest challenge of the season.

The Spartans are the only Illinois team to defeat Green this season.

"It definitely is a big game in terms of revenge," Lindblad said.

Showcase showdown

All of the traditional powers are represented on the Illinois team for the 23rd annual Chicago Showcase, the nation's biggest high school hockey tournament, April 18-22 at the Edge.

A few lesser-known hockey schools, such as Buffalo Grove (Marius Berman), Warren (Ryne Korbas) and Highland Park (Jason Shape), also are represented.

"I was very impressed with a lot of the players. There are some very talented kids who I've never even seen skate before," said Fenwick senior KC Madock, who plays right wing. Fenwick teammates Powers and Barsanti also made the Showcase team.

The Illinois team features four players from New Trier Green, the most from any school: goalie Mark Ingram, defenseman Matthew Young and forwards Connor Olvany and Lindblad.